Ford promises NOHFC for Huron Centrail Railway

Ford made his second campaign stop in the Sault on Friday, making the announcement.

During the brief stop at Mill Square he told reporters that he will ensure Ontarians find work, keep jobs and make ends meet.

“No matter what happens in any of the other countries, no matter what happens in the U.S., we will stand united together, we will stand united together in Sault Ste. Marie and with our federal counterparts and we will make sure when it comes to provincial government, that we will continue supporting the Huron Central Railway,” he said.

Ford also said he wants to see a ferrochrome processing facility in Sault Ste. Marie and ensure it creates great jobs locally.

Ford said that NOHFC has the funding to help Huron Central Railway and with other commitments and changes the PCs would legislate, small businesses will see a reduction in “roadblocks” that would allow them to grow and thrive.

He avoiding offering specifics about his plan but instead said small business cannot compete in the existing environment created by government.

The 380,000 regulations for businesses will be reduced and that will bring businesses and industry to Ontario, he said.

“As it stands right now we are a have not province and once we were the engine of Canada. We will be that engine again,” Ford said.

Ford, who didn’t mention or address the Liberal’s in his speech or questions and answers with the media, compared his platform to that of the New Democrats.

He said by contrast the NDP will increase taxes, hydro rates and gas prices and if they form government “it would be an absolute disaster . . . businesses are terrified of the NDP.”

Ford reiterated the message he’s been giving for weeks across the province, that he will ensure businesses thrive, that he’ll eliminate cap and trade and the carbon tax and reduce hydro rates by 12 per cent.

He’ll also reduce personal income tax by 20 per cent for the middle class and ensure that minimum wage earners do not pay any taxes.

“Together we will win this fight and make sure that Sault Ste. Marie thrives again,” he said during his brief speech.

“Our plan is for the workers, the workers across this province. Our plan is for the steelworkers, the men and women right here in Sault Ste. Marie,” he said.

Ford thanked the United Steelworkers Local 2251 for standing beside Ross Romano.

“We will fight for the frontline workers. We always take care of the frontline workers,” he said.

He also said he’d stand united with the federal government to fight off U.S. imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum.

But instead of elaborating on the answer, Ford reverted to his message of reducing taxes, hydro and gas prices, leaving no details to how he’d work with the Trudeau government.

Ford also commented that “the people of Ontario are mature enough” to purchase beer and wine at retail outlets across the province.

He wouldn’t commit to participating in the Pride parade later this month, deferring to his main focus of creating jobs and improving the economy.

Meanwhile the Liberals and the NDP attack Ford and argue he hasn’t released a full platform or a fully costed out plan with the election less than one week away.

Liberal leader Kathleen Wynne spent the day in southern Ontario and NDP leader Andrea Horwath was in Toronto, St. Catharines and Welland.